Queens Square, Liverpool is a most pleasant place to wait for a bus (even at night). The bus shelters here have comfortable seating, they are well lit and always clean. As a pensioner you can feel secure as there is usually a Merseytravel rep somewhere around. In fact, it's first class!

But cross the road to Sir Thomas Street (approximately 100 yards away) and experience the difference.

The Wirral passengers have to sit on uncomfortable bar seats in shelters that are often filthy, dark and dismal. On winter evenings it's worse, you could be mugged and noone would be aware.

So why are Wirral travellers treated this way. Are we not all Merseysiders?

Tony Jenkins (senior citizen), New Brighton

Waiting for bus >

WELL done the local MP who stated that our bus services on Merseyside are a disgrace (MP condemns Mersey buses, ECHO, November 10). I read this article at Bootle Strand where I arrived at 7 o'clock to catch the 7.05 service 60 bus. Needless to say, this failed to turn up and I, along with several frustrated passengers, were still waiting at 7.35. The next 60 also failed to turn up and a Merseytravel security guard told us that there was a bus in the station but the driver had gone missing.

As a result, I had to try to get an alternative bus to my destination and then walk the rest of the way. I have known many buses being missed out in the evening and on cold nights when people are travelling to work or hospital visiting and this is not acceptable.

(Name and address supplied)

Smoking drivers >

I AM writing regarding the article in the ECHO (MP condemns Mersey buses, November 10). How very true.

I use Merseyside bus services on a regular basis. The complaints I have are as follows: . Drivers smoking, playing music in their cabs, and using mobile phones . Buses are dirty and smelly . Buses failing to turn up I think you will find 90% of people will have the same opinions as mine.

J Phillips, Southdene, Kirkby

Stalls ban right >

ALTHOUGH not wishing to indulge in triumphalism, I must say I am delighted to see that at long last the street traders are being forced to quit Church Street. Their stalls, in the opinion of most people, are very untidy and because of the restricted space, clogged the movement of pedestrian traffic, particularly on busy shopping days.

The council believes, and I do, that there is space for fewer stalls, strictly controlled, and in the right location, where hopefully they can make a decent living.

T Murphy, Liverpool 4

Jeeps in the sky >

I WAS interested in the Jeep picture in Stop the Clock (ECHO, Nov 11). My late father Bob Bird, who worked as an ECHO photographer after the war, took the photograph.

British boffins invented this amazing Flying Jeep in 1944 as a way of landing in occupied Europe on DDay. I researched the subject for a book. A Willys Jeep was fitted with a huge rotor blade, which worked like a sycamore seed when towed behind a Whitley bomber. It actually became airborne but the test pilot collapsed with exhaustion on landing. Instead, huge Hamilcar gliders were used to carry Jeeps during the airborne invasion.

One can only imagine the Germans' surprise at Jeeps landing from the sky and attacking them with guns firing!

Robin Bird, Wallasey

Bring back bars >

REGARDING the banning of smoking in pubs and restaurants, I can understand it in restaurants, but not in pubs.

Years ago there was the bar, a room where people went to smoke, play cards, write bets out and the like, then there was the lounge where people went because it was cleaner and more comfortable.

Why don't pubs go back to that way and have the bar for smokers and the lounge for non-smokers. Then both sides have equal rights.

These pubs are quick enough to take the money off these people, who will be reduced to standing outside in the gutter when they want a cigarette.

What next, no laughing at the bar please?

Irene Williams, Croxteth Park

Shortpoints >

DO you have a letter for Shortpoints? Why not use the special Shortpoints messageboard by clicking here? Remember to include your name and address.

* HAVING> watched the antics of some of today's footballers, their attitude and behaviour beggars belief at times.

I would strongly suggest the introduction of a black card. Its issue would mean a total ban for the rest of the season without pay, or a legal charge of GBH.

Far too many players are getting away with it and if you go to our parks and watch the youngsters you will see the effect it is having on them - the offenders think it makes them look good. Clean up our soccer with a black card.

Walter Saunders, Speke

* I AM >writing in tribute to John Peel who was my favourite DJ for 27 years. In fact, he seemed to be more than a radio broadcaster and came to be almost like a friend with common interests over the years.

Not only was John Peel a great champion of new and obscure music, he was also a genuinely caring person and this interest in other people's lives was perfectly illustrated by his weekly Home Truths show on BBC Radio Four.

You may be gone John, but you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Will Ekbery, Wallasey

* I> completely agree with Steve Qualtrough (ECHO Letters, Nov 12) - Nils Lofgran was fantastic, a fabulous performer and the only thing that disappointed me was the fact that the ECHO did not think him worthy of a review.

Surely stars of his stature should automatically be given a write-up?

Like your other correspondent, I hope Nils comes back soon. It would be marvellous if Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band could come too. Anyway, Nils, you were brilliant.

Mrs P Jones, West Derby

* IN> the ECHO of November 9 you published a lovely poem Remembrance by 17-year-old Julia McAllister. On Remembrance Day, the Collegiate Old Boys Association unveiled a plaque in the foyer of the now closed Liverpool Collegiate school, courtesy of Urban Splash, to the memory of former pupils of the school who have lost their lives in WW2 and subsequent conflicts.

We decided that the poem was apt for the ceremony and it was read out. Thank you for publishing it and congratulations to Julia for such a poignant poem.

R Thwaite, Liverpool 25

* AFTER> the awful power failure that hit most of south Liverpool last week, how reassuring to see how everyone rallied round to see their neighbours and made sure elderly people and those on their own were okay.